Highway 126 crash near Redmond results in fatality and serious injury

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A two-vehicle crash on Highway 126 in Deschutes County, Ore., on Friday, June 19, 2026, at 12:05 p.m., resulted in one fatality and one serious injury. Michelle Renee Pettit, 59, of Gilchrist, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The collision occurred near milepost 103.5 when a westbound GMC Sierra pulling a dump trailer crossed into the eastbound lane, striking a Honda Accord head-on.

The Oregon State Police's preliminary investigation indicated that a black GMC Sierra, operated by Luis Alberto Santos Milan, 26, of Bend, was traveling westbound near Redmond. The GMC Sierra attempted to avoid slowing traffic and entered the eastbound travel lane.

An eastbound gray Honda Accord, operated by Christopher Richard Pettit, 58, of Gilchrist, then collided with the dump trailer in the eastbound lane.

The operator of the Honda, Pettit, was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries following the crash.

Milan, the operator of the GMC Sierra, was reportedly not injured. Milan remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.

The highway was impacted for approximately 3 hours while the on-scene investigation was conducted. The Oregon State Police led the investigation.